Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday held a telephonic conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, during which the two leaders exchanged New Year greetings and reaffirmed their shared commitment to combating terrorism. The call also focused on regional developments and ways to further deepen the strategic partnership between India and Israel in the year ahead.

Taking to social media platform X after the conversation, Prime Minister Modi described the interaction as warm and forward-looking. “Glad to speak with my friend, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and convey New Year greetings to him and the people of Israel,” Modi said, signalling the continued personal rapport between the two leaders.

Focus on counter-terrorism

A key highlight of the conversation was the reaffirmation of India and Israel’s common stance against terrorism. According to Modi, both leaders reiterated their determination to fight terrorism “with greater resolve,” underlining an area of long-standing cooperation between the two countries.

India and Israel have consistently shared concerns over terrorism and extremism, and counter-terrorism has remained a central pillar of their bilateral relationship. Over the years, the two nations have worked closely in areas such as intelligence-sharing, security cooperation, and defence technology, often citing common threats posed by terror networks.

By reiterating this shared resolve at the start of the New Year, the conversation sent a clear signal that cooperation on security and counter-terrorism will remain a priority in bilateral engagements.

Exchange of views on regional situation

During the call, Modi and Netanyahu also exchanged perspectives on the evolving regional situation. While specific details of their discussion were not disclosed, the reference points to the broader geopolitical and security challenges in West Asia, a region of strategic importance to both countries.

For India, stability in the region is crucial due to its energy interests, trade links, and the presence of a large Indian diaspora. Israel, meanwhile, continues to face a complex and volatile security environment. The exchange of views suggests continued dialogue and consultation between New Delhi and Tel Aviv on regional developments that could have wider international implications.

Strengthening the strategic partnership

Prime Minister Modi noted that the conversation went beyond greetings and immediate concerns, extending to future-oriented discussions on strengthening the India-Israel Strategic Partnership. “We discussed ways to further strengthen the India-Israel Strategic Partnership in the year ahead,” he said.

India and Israel formally elevated their relationship to a strategic partnership in 2017, a milestone marked by Modi’s historic visit to Israel, the first by an Indian prime minister. Since then, ties have expanded across a wide range of sectors including defence, agriculture, water management, innovation, technology, and healthcare.

Defence cooperation, in particular, has been a cornerstone of the relationship, with Israel being one of India’s key defence technology partners. At the same time, collaboration in civilian areas such as agriculture and start-ups has grown steadily, with both sides emphasising innovation-driven growth.

The New Year conversation indicates an intention to build on this momentum and explore new avenues of cooperation, even as the global and regional landscape remains uncertain.

A relationship marked by continuity

The exchange of greetings reflects the continuity and stability in India-Israel relations, regardless of regional turbulence. Modi and Netanyahu have spoken on multiple occasions in the past, often during moments of heightened security concerns or important diplomatic developments.

Their regular interactions have been seen as contributing to a steady deepening of ties, driven by shared strategic interests and a convergence of views on security-related issues. The personal warmth often reflected in their public statements has also been viewed as an important factor in sustaining the partnership.

Significance of the conversation

The timing of the call, early in the New Year, carries symbolic value. It signals both leaders’ intent to maintain close coordination and to prioritise bilateral engagement in the months ahead. At a time when global politics is marked by uncertainty and shifting alliances, reaffirmations of partnership and shared resolve take on added importance.

For India, the conversation reinforces its approach of maintaining strong ties with key partners in West Asia while advocating a firm stance against terrorism. For Israel, the call underscores the value it places on its relationship with India as a major global player and a trusted strategic partner.

As 2026 begins, the Modi–Netanyahu conversation sets the tone for continued engagement between New Delhi and Tel Aviv, rooted in mutual respect, shared security concerns, and a commitment to strengthening a partnership that has steadily expanded over the past decade.